“As long as we are lucky we attribute it to our smartness; our bad luck we give the gods credit for”
Later and later Coffee suddenly appears. You wonder why, and I don’t blame you, but today I have a most wonderful excuse. It started with the gnome who hides in my house. He, and I have no doubt the wee creature is a he, is responsible for such things as the coke which fizzes over the top of my glass, for me tripping up the stairs, for food which lands on my shirt and on and on. I’m guessing you get the idea. Well, today he knocked over a greenery decoration which my friends had given me so I could have a bit of the scent and scene of Christmas. It fell in a few clumps and deposited about 8 thousand little green needles on my rug, the one with all the ridges. I admit it. I am anal and I couldn’t leave all that on the floor. Besides that greenery was on the way to the kitchen, Gracie’s back door and, most importantly, the bathroom. I had to collect those needles before they ended up all over the house spread by feet and paws. I did it: I went for the dustpan and brush. I found only the brush but that was enough. I brushed all those suckers into a single huge pile almost as tall as I am. I couldn’t find the dust pan so I used the newspaper, and it worked perfectly. I couldn’t kneel for fear of being unable to get up so I stood and bent over as I swept and cleaned.
Almost all of the needles ended up in the trash can. I ended up with a new pain on my leg which made me yelp and curse while Gracie watched with her head bent in such a way I knew she was perplexed. The pain was from a muscle. I rejoiced. It was not the sciatica though it was just as painful. I hobbled upstairs, took a couple of painkillers, which I haven’t needed in days, laid down and slept for nearly four hours. I sort of shortened that last part of the narration for the sake of brevity as it took a while for me to find a spot where I was comfortable and without pain. When I finally did, I was out for the count. Fern, the cat, and Gracie, the dog, joined me. When I finally woke up, it was quite dark, I was dying of thirst and I needed to go to the bathroom. For me, I knew that last one would be the litmus test. Will the pain be gone? Would I be fast enough? The gnome must have been napping as I was able to walk to the bathroom with barely any pain. It was a leisurely stroll. That may not sound like a major accomplishment, but when I had to use the walker and the cane I had such pain I could barely walk and had to plan a trip to the bathroom in advance.
The pain is slight now, but I’m in a bit of trouble. I missed some of those 8 thousand needles. On my last trip to the kitchen, I stopped and picked up a few, but I see trouble ahead. I doubt those needles will be the last.
Explore posts in the same categories: MusingsTags: pain, pine needles, troublesome gnomes
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keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
December 29, 2010 at 7:17 pm
Nice needle story, glad it didn’t end with you lying on the floor screaming for help. We do go out of our way to insert sanity into a life that is used to doing things even when the body can no longer muster up. I know the painkillers have side effects; they also can trick a person if taken daily; and some people are allergic to opium which is the most widely used Narcotic base. But it’s the only help that’s on the way and what’s the difference? You would get the same dosage in a hospital for a gazillion bucks more. So be happy you are safe at home Kat. You seem to have it thought out well, just keep the coffee coming!
December 29, 2010 at 9:32 pm
Z&Me,
I’m glad too. Over time I have learned to be a bit more cautious, especially now.
The painkillers helped when I was in the hospital, and I had amazing dreams. Now I just want all of it to go away.
December 29, 2010 at 9:13 pm
Needles BC to Boston MA- 4800km. Those needles can travel a long way.
Cheers
December 31, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Minicapt,
You sometimes astound me!
December 29, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Kat, just walked in…DE-TROIT BASKETBALL !!!!
December 30, 2010 at 9:48 pm
No football??
http://themorningsun.com/articles/2010/12/27/sports/srv0000010422286.txt
Cheers
December 31, 2010 at 6:33 am
Nice article on Americas Team….thanks
Actually Ndamukong Suh, he of number 90 and the pro bowl, is a Pistons season ticket holder and was there on Wednesday to enjoy beating the Celtics.
What a sports weekend is ahead…Tottenham against Fulham, Sparty Saturday and then the Lions continue the streak against the Vikes. I doubt that Fav-ray, will appear for Suhs entertainment.
December 31, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Only the Patriots for me!
December 31, 2010 at 1:18 pm
My Dear Hedley,
I do watch that team but only when they play my Celtics.
December 29, 2010 at 11:38 pm
So, you have the same needle gnomes that I have. Amazing. Keep healing, Kat. Love your music picks, and so does Jewels. And as Zooey and Me said keep the coffee coming. Oh, and don’t forget to ask the needle fairy for help.
December 31, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Lori,
I seem to take a step forward and two back. I notice the scenery looks suspiciously familiar.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the music!
I’m always afraid the needle fairy will leave some!
December 30, 2010 at 1:53 am
Hey, I would NEEDLE you about your missing some, but NEEDLESs to say, it would fall on unforgiving ears. Here’s hoping for them all to be gotten up after the next time your helper comes to clean. Leave her some to work on, now.
And happy new year to all the Coffee regulars!
December 31, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Rick,
I picked up two of them today. They are multiplying.
Roseana won’t be here for a week, and I couldn’t stand walking over them.
Happy New Year to you as well!!!
December 30, 2010 at 7:49 am
Hi Kat,
Needles never go away. In December of 1989 my brother decided that it would be nice if his small son could see a real tree in Nanny’s house that year instead of the artificial one we wisely used. So, as a good Auntie, I went out to pick a tree, loaded it into my brand new, clean, Wrangler and brought it home.
I vacuumed that jeep many, many times but I was still finding needles in 2004 when I bought a new Wrangler. Oh yes, little white Jack Russell hairs were there as well.
Keep up the progress. And buy one of those dust pans with the long handles. I can tell you they are great.
December 31, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Hi Caryn,
I know it. I swear I’m still picking some up in the living room where there was no tree this year.
My sister just mentioned the long handled dust pan, and I thought it great too. I’m too old to stoop. Besides, it hurts!
December 30, 2010 at 8:07 am
amazing isn’t it?
I can only imagine what your dreams of retirement held
surely not this type of stuff
hope today is better, i can tell by your tone each day is a bit better!
have you made any new years resolutions?
December 31, 2010 at 1:23 pm
splendid,
I had no idea I’d be having surgery or dealing with this damn pain. I’m doing everything I can to fight it.
No resolutions-I never seem to keep them.
December 30, 2010 at 9:45 am
I would have done the same thing, those needles has a tendency to spread and they can wait years to turn up again 🙂 🙂 🙂
I´m in pain today too. I was loading my car when I was at the supermarket and suddenly a tiny muscle gave up and it´s amazing how much that can hurt 🙂 🙂
Have a great day now!
Christer.
December 31, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Christer,
I saw a few needles this morning and left them there.
I’m sorry about your pain. I have sympathy for anyone dealing with pain.